As a "rubella baby" myself, I thought this would be of interest to you who were born with rubella (as a result of your deafness, etc.) or had rubella post-natal. 
Did you know that since a few months after I was in my mother's stomach in 1969, there was a rubella vaccine that came out for the first time that year? Ironic? I think so. -- Nancy
CDC: Rubella eliminated in U.S.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Rubella, a virus that once caused tens of thousands of birth defects and deaths in a single outbreak, has been eliminated from the United States, health officials said on Monday.
But Americans still must vaccinate their children, and women who might get pregnant must still ensure they are immune because the disease exists elsewhere, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
"A disease that once seriously harmed tens of thousands of infants is no longer a major health threat, thanks to a safe and effective vaccine and successful immunization programs across the country," CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding told a Washington news conference.
"We should take pride in this accomplishment, and also recognize that we must maintain our vigilance or we can see a resurgence of disease."
The Atlanta-based CDC said that in 2004, nine rubella cases were reported in the United States, all of which originated in other countries.
"Recently, the cases we do have are not cases that have been transmitted in the United States," Gerberding said.
Rubella, also commonly known as German measles, soft measles or three-day measles, is a usually mild viral infection that causes a fever and a rash.
But early in pregnancy it can cause birth defects ranging from deafness to severe brain damage and death.
"During 1964 and 1965 a rubella epidemic in the United States caused an estimated 12.5 million cases of rubella and 20,000 cases of congenital rubella syndrome which led to more than 11,600 babies born deaf, 11,250 fetal deaths, 2,100 neonatal (newborn) deaths, 3,580 babies born blind and 1,800 babies born mentally retarded," the CDC said in a statement.
A vaccine was licensed in 1969 and since then the rubella virus has been included in the measles, mumps and rubella or MMR combined vaccine routinely given to babies and young children.
To read rest of article, go here:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/conditions/03/21/cdc.rubella.reut/index.html?section=cnn_topstories
Did you know that since a few months after I was in my mother's stomach in 1969, there was a rubella vaccine that came out for the first time that year? Ironic? I think so. -- NancyCDC: Rubella eliminated in U.S.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Rubella, a virus that once caused tens of thousands of birth defects and deaths in a single outbreak, has been eliminated from the United States, health officials said on Monday.
But Americans still must vaccinate their children, and women who might get pregnant must still ensure they are immune because the disease exists elsewhere, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
"A disease that once seriously harmed tens of thousands of infants is no longer a major health threat, thanks to a safe and effective vaccine and successful immunization programs across the country," CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding told a Washington news conference.
"We should take pride in this accomplishment, and also recognize that we must maintain our vigilance or we can see a resurgence of disease."
The Atlanta-based CDC said that in 2004, nine rubella cases were reported in the United States, all of which originated in other countries.
"Recently, the cases we do have are not cases that have been transmitted in the United States," Gerberding said.
Rubella, also commonly known as German measles, soft measles or three-day measles, is a usually mild viral infection that causes a fever and a rash.
But early in pregnancy it can cause birth defects ranging from deafness to severe brain damage and death.
"During 1964 and 1965 a rubella epidemic in the United States caused an estimated 12.5 million cases of rubella and 20,000 cases of congenital rubella syndrome which led to more than 11,600 babies born deaf, 11,250 fetal deaths, 2,100 neonatal (newborn) deaths, 3,580 babies born blind and 1,800 babies born mentally retarded," the CDC said in a statement.
A vaccine was licensed in 1969 and since then the rubella virus has been included in the measles, mumps and rubella or MMR combined vaccine routinely given to babies and young children.
To read rest of article, go here:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/conditions/03/21/cdc.rubella.reut/index.html?section=cnn_topstories